Evaluating the Compatibility Mechanism of Shengxian Decoction Based on an Excretion Study of 18 Bioactive Constituents in Rat Biosamples

Introduction:The Shengxian decoction(SXT),a Chinese herbal medication used to treat heart failure,is composed of Astragali Radix,Anemarrhenae Rhizoma,Bupleuri Radix,Cimicifuage Rhizoma,and Platycodonis Radix.Knowledge of the excretion of the active compounds in this herbal medication is vital for investigating the underlying mechanisms behind its compatibility.However,this remains unclear.Methods:Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was performed in both positive and negative modes to assay 18 constituents of SXT from rat urinary,fecal,and biliary samples.Results:The methodology was validated and showed good linearity(r≥0.9),precision,stability,repeatability,and recovery.The relative standard deviations and relative errors for the precision and accuracy did not exceed 15%.The recoveries of all the compounds ranged from 77.37%to 114.82%,and the matrix effect was between 82.53%and 105.71%.The results suggested that,when combined with Platycodonis Radix,the levels of 14 constituents from the four herbs were reduced in the urine,while the levels of six constituents were reduced in the feces.Conclusions:The comparative excretion results indicated that Platycodonis Radix reduced the excretion of compounds in SXT,demonstrating the compatibility mechanism and holistic properties of these compounds,favoring the pharmacological effects of SXT.

Deciphering the chemical profile and pharmacological mechanism of Jinlingzi powder(金铃子散)against bile reflux gastritis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q exactive focus mass spectrometry,network pharmacology,and molecular docking

OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the chemical profile and the pharmacological mechanism by which Jinlingzi powder(金铃子散,JLZP)treats bile reflux gastritis(BRG).METHODS:A BRG model was established in rats by oral administration of the model solution.JLZP was orally administered for 35 d.Residual gastric rate and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,and gastrin levels in the serum were measured,and stomach tissues were collected for histopathological analysis.We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive Focus mass spectrometry to identify the chemical ingredients in JLZP.Then,protein-protein interaction and herb-compound-target networks were constructed to screen potential bioactive compounds and targets.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis was then performed to elucidate the pathway involved in the JLZP-mediated treatment of BRG.After constructing the core compound-target-pathway interaction network,molecular docking was performed to study the binding free energy of core bioactive compounds and two candidate targets[RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase(AKT1)and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoform(PIK3CA)].RESULTS:JLZP extracts significantly promoted gastric emptying,regulating the release of cytokines(TNF-αand IL-6)and improving gastrin secretion and mucosal repair.Fifty-six compounds were tentatively characterized in JLZP.Moreover,the network pharmacology and molecular docking results showed that alkaloids and flavonoids might be the bioactive compounds in JLZP that treat BRG.JLZP might improve mucosal repair during BRG progression by modulating the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase-protein kinase B,hypoxia inducible factor-1,mitogen-activated protein kinase,forkhead box O,TNF,and IL-17 signaling pathways.CONCLUSIONS:We elucidated the chemical constituents and the pharmacological mechanism of JLZP in treating BRG and provided a basis for clinical application.